The prostate gland is an exocrine gland that is part of the male reproductive system. Exocrine glands secrete fluids and the prostate gland’s major function is to produce a fluid that enriches sperm. The term prostate is from a Greek word, “prostates” which translates to “protector” or “guardian.” The prostate in younger men is approximately the size of a walnut and in most men it slowly grows over time which can lead to problems later in life. A healthy prostate is made up of a collection of glands and stroma.
The prostate gland is located immediately below the bladder and just in front of the bowel. It is doughnut shaped as it surrounds the beginning of the urethra, the tube that conveys urine from the bladder to the penis. The nerves that control erections surround the prostate, which can be damaged during prostate surgery resulting in male erectile dysfunction. Being that it surrounds the urethra an enlarged prostate gland can squeeze the urethra and make it increasingly difficult to urinate.
Function
The primary job of the prostate is to secrete as well as store a slightly alkaline fluid that makes up roughly 25-30% of male ejaculate. This milky, white fluid helps to make the sperm live longer by neutralizing the acidity of the vaginal tract and helping the sperm to live long enough to reach the egg. Prostatic fluid is usually expelled in the first ejaculate during orgasm which also contains the highest amount of sperm. The sperm that is released mixed with prostatic fluid has improved movement, better protects the genetic payload and tends to live longer than other sperm. In addition, the prostate has smooth muscle tissues which work to expel semen during ejaculation.
Common Prostate Disorders
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a group of disorders with related symptoms and the most frequently diagnosed is chronic non-bacterial prostatitis or male chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Most cases of prostatitis are caused by a bacterial infection and can cause pain in the abdomen and during urination and ejaculation.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
BPH occurs in older men and is more commonly known as an enlarged prostate. BPH can make it difficult for a man to urinate and can even completely block urine flow altogether. Men with BPH have to visit the bathroom very frequently and for some it takes a while to get started. BPH is commonly treated with medication, a minimally invasive procedure or in severe cases the removal of the prostate gland altogether.
Prostate Cancer
One of the most common types of cancer in men, prostate cancer is a very treatable disease if caught early. Prostate cancer occurs when some of the cells of the prostate reproduce far more rapidly than in a normal prostate, causing a swelling or tumor.
While most of the time prostate cancer grows slowly and is kept to the gland itself, there are cases in which it grows rapidly and spreads. Once the cancer escapes from the prostate, treatment is possible but a “cure” becomes impossible. All men should be examined for prostate cancer beginning at the age of 50 and for those who have a family history of prostate cancer, they should get regular examinations starting at 40.
